The VRT has announced that it will broadcast a separate programme ahead of the 2 semi-finals and the final of the Eurovision Song Contest next month. The Flemish public broadcaster’s spokeswoman Yasmine Van der Borght says that the programme will provide analysis and a preview of the Song Contest and “place the Eurovision Song Contest in the right context”.
VRT to broadcast a special programme providing analysis ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest
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“We will explain why this year’s edition is unlike any other and highlight the critical issues that are being discussed both at home and abroad.”
The programme will last between 10 and 15 minutes and will be presented by Kobe Ilsen. VRT News’ Middle East expert Inge Vrancken will report from Tel Aviv in Israel and Gianni Paelinck will report from the Eurovision Song Contest that this year is being held in the Austrian capital Vienna.
Yasmine Van der Borght added that “In addition to this, as always, we will of course be providing analysis within the regular programming produced by VRT News, so that viewers can understand the full social and international context”.
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest is controversial due to the participation of Israel. Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia are not taking part in protest at Israel being allowed to compete. This year’s Belgian entry has been chosen by the Francophone public broadcaster RTBF. The female solo artist ESSYLA with her song ‘Dancing on Ice’ will represent Belgium in Vienna.